RP braces for Davis Cup finals vs New Zealand

MANILA, Philippines – After hurdling the challenge of a Pakistan side that missed its top player, the Philippines braces itself for the next stage – the finals of the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group II against New Zealand. The Filipinos beat the visiting Pakistanis, 3-2, in their semifinal tie that ended Sunday at the Philippine Columbian Association courts in Manila to advance against the Kiwis, who swept Indonesia, 5-0. A win over the Kiwis will bring the RP Davis Cuppers back to Group I after being relegated to Group II in 2008. The Philippines enjoys a 2-1 edge in its head-to-head duel with New Zealand and the team is confident it has a good shot against the taller Kiwis. “It will be tough for sure. But we a have good chance. We beat them, 4-1, in Auckland two years ago and I think they have a new team now," explained RP No. 1 Cecil Mamiit. Just like their tie with Pakistan, the Filipinos will host the Kiwis on September 18-20 with the slow shell court of the PCA or the Cebu Country Club eyed as possible venue. Mamiit and fellow Fil-Am Treat Huey played vital roles in securing the Philippines’ win over Pakistan, which played without its ace Aisam Qureshi, who competed in an ATP tournament in the US instead. The two gave the Philippines a 2-0 cushion with Huey defeating Aqeel Khan in the first singles, 7-5, 6-4 6-2, and Mamiit demolishing Jalil Khan in the second, 6-1 6-2 6-1. The 33-year-old Mamiit and Huey then joined forces to seal the tie via a 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 beating of Aqeel and Jibran Mohammadi, rendering Sunday’s reverse singles inconsequential. Young guns PJ Tierro and Francis Casey Alcantara got their chance to play after getting replaced in Saturday's doubles but bowed to Aqeel, 6-1, 7-6(7) and Jalil, 1-6, 7-6(8), 6-3, respectively, for the final score. Prior to beating Pakistan, the Filipinos earlier disposed of Hong Kong, 4-1, at the latter’s turf last March. The New Zealand team of Danile King-Turner, G.D. Jones, and Jose and Mikal Statham, for its part, whitewashed first round foe Malaysia, 5-0, and second round rival Indonesia en route to the Group II finals. - GMANews.TV